A WOMAN who grew up on a smallholding in Craven has been selected as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Brexit Party to fight the Skipton and Ripon seat, currently held by Conservative, Julian Smith MP, the Northern Ireland Secretary.

Charlotte Kozlow, said it was an honour to be selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate in the constituency where she grew up.

“I am not a career politician, I grew up on a smallholding in Craven, my family are still in the area but I moved to London for university 13 years ago, “ she said.

“At 21 I set up my own property company in Chelsea, it wasn’t luck that allowed us to survive against some of the biggest corporate agencies in the country, it was my true Yorkshire grit.

“Our area is known the world over, from our landscapes and scenery, to our farming and rich produce, all offering something very special, worthy of protecting. I want to see the high streets of Skipton and Ripon thrive, full of the businesses that have previously been trampled on by High Street business rates.

“I know that tourism plays a massive part in our area, but personally, I am fed up of hearing ‘Oh you’re from the Dales? We have a holiday home up there’, our local area is suffering a housing crisis and I want to tackle it head on.”

Ms Kozlow said she expected to face a challenge in such a traditionally Conservative area, but pointed to the 53 per cent who voted ‘leave’ in the referendum.

Jake Pugh, Brexit Party MEP, Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “I am delighted to endorse Charlotte Kozlow.

“Charlotte’s strong character is evident from the moment you meet her and I know she will be a powerful advocate for all constituents as we seek to change politics for good.”